Air conditioning apparatus



1941- F. P. TAUGHER 2,262,477-

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed June 28, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1EVHFORHTOR Fla. I

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F. P. TAUGHER AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed June 28, 1935 3Sheets-Sheet I5 4h. o w m.

I 4-2 4' 41 X53 FM 11' M 53 I w 1 r I INVENTOR 1 1 FRHNKR 727m HERJ TomPatented Nov. 1-1, 1941 FFICE AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Frank P.Taughcr, Clayton, Mo., assignor to- Westinghouse Electric &Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa.,- a corporation ofPennsylvania Application June28, 1935, Serial No. 28,825

. Claims. Myf invention relates to air conditioning apparatus and moreparticularly to a unit air conditioner or cooler, and it has for anobjectto provide improved apparatus of this kind.

It is a further object of my invention to pro- Fig. 2 is a section viewof the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and is taken along the line II-II videa compact arrangement of the elements of an air cooled refrigeratingsystem in a device for cooling air in a room.

A further object of my invention is to provide a self-contained andcompact air conditioning device employing an air cooled refrigeratingsystem, which may be readily installed in an enclosure to be-co'oled andwhich is quiet in operation. 7

In accordance with my invention, I provide a cabinet structure withinwhich the air cooling and air translating devices are superimposed sothat a relatively narrow cabinet is obtained. The evaporator, or aircooling device, and the fan or fans associated therewith .are preferablydisposed adjacent the top of the cabinet and the compressor, thecondenser and their associated blower are arranged beneath theevaporator. A heat insulating wall divides the cabinet structure intotwo compartments; in one of which the air entering and leaving thecabinet above the Ducts are provided for conveying the condenser. airtranslated by the blower and extend from above the condenser to theatmosphere exterior of the enclosure through any suitable wall opening.Provision is made for adjustably securing the ducts to the cabinetstructure so that they maybe inserted into'wall openings of variouselevations.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparentfrom the following description and claims taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view in plan taken along line III-III of Fig. 2;

Fig; 4 is a rear view of the apparatus taken in elevation; and, i

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a detail and is taken along the line V-Vof Fig. 2.

Reference will now be had to the drawings in which the numeral Itgenerally indicates a cabinet structure which encloses the-apparatus forcooling air in a room or enclosure. A wall ll divides the cabinet Illinto compartments l2 and I3 which I term air cooling and apparatuscompartments, respectively. The wall I I, preferably, includes verticalportions l4 and I5 which are oiiset and joined by a portion l6, whichmay be inclined as shown in Fig. 2. The wall portion l4 constitutcsa'rear wall for the compartment l2 and the wall portion I5 constitutes afront wall for the compartment l3.

A relatively narrow passage I1 is defined by the wall portion l5 and thecasing III, which I ratus compartment IS. The condenser 25 is made in asingle unit comprising a bank of tubes 25a Fig. 1 is a verticalsectional view of a self-con- I tained air conditioner arranged inaccordance with my invention and is taken along the line [-1 of Fig. 2;

passage l'l extends substantially the entire width of the casing andforms a portion of the air cooling chamber l2. Arranged adjacent the topof the air'cooling chamber I2 is an evaporator l8 for cooling the air inthe enclosure." Air translating means such as, for example, a pair of.fans l9 and 2| are disposed, preferably, beneath-the evaporator l8 fortranslatingthe air to be cooled. An inlet opening 22 is formed in thecasing structure l0 adjacent the bottom of the passage I1 and an outletopening 23 is arranged above the evaporator l8. These openingscommunicate with the air in the room in which the unit is located andwhich is conditioned by the unit. A drip pan 24 may be disposed beneaththe-evaporator I8 for the collection of moisture which isprecipitatedfrom the air as it is cooled. The pan 24 extends upwardlyalong the inclined wall portion l6 and terminates adjacent the wallportion H.

The evaporator It forms one element of arefrigerating system, thecondenser 25 and the compressor 26 of which are disposed within theappaextending substantially the entire, width of the casing I0 andsupported at their ends in vertical A blower 21 is arranged below theportion 28a of the condenser 25 and serves to translate air for coolingthe condenser 25 and the compressor 26; the latter being disposed belowthe portion 28 of the condenser 25. A motor 3| serves to drive thecompressor 26 and may be provided with a shaft extension 32 for drivingthe blower 21. A common bedplate 33 is arranged adjacent the bottom ofthe casing l and serves as a support for the compressor 26 and blower21.

The refrigerating apparatus operates on the well-knowncompressor-condenser-expander cycle, in which refrigerant vapor is drawnfrom the evaporator l8 through a conduit 34 by the compressor 26 and iscompressed. The compressed vapor then passes at a relatively highpressure from the compressor 26 to the condenser 25 by means of aconduit 35. vapor is effected in the condenser 25 and the heat impartedto the condenser 25 by the vapor is abstracted by the stream of airtranslated by the blower 21. Liquid refrigerant passes through a conduit36 from the condenser to a suitable expansion device 31 where itspressure is reduced prior to its admission into the evaporator I8.Chilling of the evaporator I8 is effected by the refrigerant whichvaporizes at the low pressure established therein by the suction of thecompressor 26. This completes the cycle which is repeated as long as thecompressor 26 is operated.

The vertical partition 38 extends from adjacent the bottom of thecondenser 25 to the top of the cabinet ill, rearwardly of the wallportion l4. This partition 38 engages the under side of the wall portion|6 as best shown at 39 in Fig. 2. Therefore, the partition 38 dividesthe apparatus compartment |3 into a pair of chainbers 4| and 42throughwhich air translated by the blower 21 is circulated. A space 43beneath the partition 38 constitutes a passage connect- 'ing thechambers 4| and 42, in which passage the compressor 26 and the blower 21are disposed.

by a plate-"48 which is adjustably secured to the cabinet I0 in anysuitable manner. By way of example, I have shown the plate 48 providedwith vertical elongated slots and 52, within which a plurality of screws53 tapped into the casing structure III, are arranged. As shown in thedrawings, the adjustable duct structure 45 is shown adjusted to itslowermost position so that the ducts 46 and 41 rest upon the window sillindicated at 54. By loosening the screws 53, the structure 45 may bemoved to other elevations dictated by the height of the sill on whichthe ducts 46 and 41 are to rest. When the proper adjustment is obtainedthe screws 53 are tightened for gripping the plate 46. v

The stationary rear wall 55 of the casing It extends upwardly from thebottom thereof and terminates adjacent the bottom of the ducts 46 and 41when adjusted to their lowermost position. As {the duct structure 45 isadjusted upwardly, the opening, formed between the ducts 46 and 41 andthe top of the wall 55, is closed Condensation of the are air inlet andoutlet ducts 46 and 41 carried by the plate 48 which moves upwardly. Avertical partition 56 is carried by the adjustable duct structure 45 inalignment with the partition 38 in the apparatus compartment and servesto separate the inlet and outlet ducts 46 and .41. The top wall 51 ofthe ducts 46 and 41 extends to and terminates adjacent the wall portionl4, being slotted to accommodate the partition 38, as best shown in Fig.5. Y

Air which is translated by the blower 21 and which is drawn from theoutside atmosphere enters the duct 46 and passes through chamber 4| intoheat exchanging relation with the condenser portion 28. From the latterit passes over and cools the compressor 26 and the motor 3| within theconnecting passage 43 and is then forced by the blower 21 into heatexchanging relation with the condenser portion 28a. The heated air thenpasses through the chamber 42 and the duct 41 to the outside atmosphere.Moisture, precipitated from the air cooled by the evaporator l8 andwhich collects in the pan 24, is removed, preferably by vaporizing it inthe air discharged to the outside atmosphere. Accordingly, a conduit 58connects with the pan 24 for draining moisture therefrom, which conduit58 extends into the stream of air translated by the blower 21. Theportion of the conduit 50 disposed in the air stream is provided with aplurality of relatively small openings 59 through which the water dripsand is vaporized in the air stream. Preferably, the conduit 58terminates in the air stream above the condenser portion 28a where theair is heated and where its capacity for absorbing moisture is greatest.

Means is provided in myimproved air conditioning unit for supplyingfresh air for mixture with the stream of air being cooled. An opening orfresh air passage 6| is arranged in the wall portion 16 and providescommunication between the chamber 4| and the air cooling compartment l2.A damper 62 controls the amount of air conveyed through the passage 6|and is adjusted by means of a stem 63, journalled in the casingstructure l0 and threaded into a portion of the damper 62. A knob orhandle 64 is fixed to the stem 63 and is disposed exteriorly of thecasing In so that it may be readily rotated for controlling the positionof the damper 62 and, therefore, the supply of fresh air. Flow of airthrough the opening 6| toward the compartment I2 is effected by the fansH which maintain a slightly lower pressure in compartment |2 than ismaintained in the chamber 4| by the blower 21.

From the above description, it will be seen that I have disclosed anovel air-cooled, self-contained room cooling device, which occupies asmall amount of floor space when compared to conventional devices ofwhich I am aware. This feature has been obtained, in a large measure, bythe compact arrangement of the elements of the air cooled refrigeratingsystem. I have, furthermore, provided an improved air conditioner inwhich precipitated moisture is efiectively removed, and in which thesupply of fresh air entering the enclosure being cooled may be readilycontrolled. v

Due to the absence of sharp angular turns in the path of the streams ofair translated by the blower 21 and fans I9, I have minimized air noiseswhich are so objectionable in apparatus of this kind. Relatively largeareas for the air streams are available due to the compact arrangementof the refrigerating system so that air velocities are low and,therefore, air noises are substantially reduced.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specificallyset forth in theappended claims.

What I claim is: 1. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination closure,the combination of a cabinet structure I lation with the rear wall, asecond partition connected to the rear end of the first-mentionedpartition and extending upwardly therefrom,

of a casing having acompartment therein, an 7 air cooled -condenserextending substantially across the compartment and vertically spacedfrom the bottom thereof, a vertical partition extending upwardly fromadjacent the bottom of the condenser for dividing'the compartment intoa' plurality of chambers, a plurality of ducts providing. communicationbetween th atmosphere exterior of the casing andlsaid chambersrespectively, said ducts having upper and lower walls, said upper wallsextending beyond the lower walls and constituting movable top walls forthe chambers, means for adjusting the ducts vertically with respect tothe casing, means for circulating air serially through said ducts andchambers and in heat exchanging relation with the condenser.

2. In refrigerating apparatus, the combination of. a casing comprising avertical wall whose upper edge is spaced from the top of the casing, asecond verticalflwallspaced horizontally inwardly from said first wallto provide a passage therebetween and extending upwardly from a leveladjacent said upper edge of the first wall,

and a horizontally-extending and vertically-ad iustable outdoor air ductmember communicating with said passage, said duct member including anupper wall extending to said second wall, a lower wall extendinghorizontally as far as said upper edge of the first wall, and a plateextending downwardly from the lower wall to close the gap between thelower wall and said upper edge ofthe first wall when the duct is raisedabove first wall to provide an apparatus compartment therebetween'andextending from the bottom of the casing toward the top thereof butterminating in spaced relation thereto, a transverse said secondpartition defining a space with the rear wall'of the cabinet structure,means dividing said space into inlet and outlet passages for air, anevaporator disposed above the first-mentionedpartition, means forpassing air for the enclosure in heat exchanging relation with theevaporator, a condenser disposed beneath the first-mentioned partitionand extending substantially in a horizontal plane between said' frontand rear walls of. the cabinet structure, means for dividing thecondenser into first and second portions which'communicate,respectively, with said air inlet and outlet passages, a compressor forcirculating refrigerant through the condenser and evaporator anddisposed beneath the condenser, and a blower, for circulating airthrough said passages and in heat exchanging relation with the condenserportions and the compressor. a

5. In apparatus for conditioning the air in an enclosure, thecombination of a cabinet structure arranged within the enclosure, apartition dividing the cabinet into an air cooling, compartment and anapparatus compartment beneath the air cooling compartment, an evaporatorin the air cooling compartment, means for translating air over theevaporator and into the neath said evaporator, a compressor disposed inpartition "connecting said walls and dividing the apparatus compartmentinto first and second chambers ll and 42, a condenser arranged withinsaid chambers, first and second ducts it and 41 providing communicationbetween the atmosterminating adjacent to the first-mentioned uprightwall and'including bottom wall portions ting adjacent said plate.tlnapparahatoreooiingtbeairinmenlili the apparatus compartment at leastin part beneath said condenser, means including a blower disposedbeneath said condenser for conveying a stream of air into the. apparatuscompartment, between said partition and one portion of said condenser,downwardly over said one condenser portion, over the compressor, throughthe blower, upwardly over a second condenser portion, 'between saidsecond condenser portion and said partition, and out ofthe apparatuscompartment, means for conveying air from the condenser air stream onthe upstream side of the first condenser portion to the air coolingcompartment for mixtur with the air flowing therethrough, and means foradlusting the quantity of air conveyed by the ,lastnamed means.

6. In apparatus for cooling the air in an enclosure having an opening inawall thereof, the combination of a cabinet structure having an aircooling compartment and an apparatus com- 'partment, disposed at leastin part-beneath the air cooling compartment, an evaporator in said aircooling compartment, a condenser disposed in said apparatus compartmentbelow said evaporator, said cabinet having a rear wall for the a aircooling compartment ofi'set forwardly from the rear wall of theapparatus compartment, and vertically adjustable duct means providing ahorizontally-extending air passage adapted to communicate'at its outerend with said wall opening, the inner end of said air e communicatingwith the apparatus compartment rearwardlyofthgrearwalloftheaircoolingcompartment and forwardly of the rear wali 6f the apparatus compartment,said vertically adjustable duct means including an upper wall for saidhorizontally-extending air passage extending to the rear wall of the aircooling compartment.

7. In a unit air cooler for a room having an opening in a wall thereof,the combination of a cabinet structure having an air cooling compartmentand an apparatus compartment disposed below the air cooling compartment,an evaporator in said air cooling compartment, said cabinet structurehaving a rear wall for the air cooling compartment offset forwardly fromthe rear wall of the apparatus compartment and having an inlet and anoutlet condenser air passage extending between said rear walls, acondenser disposed in said apparatus compartment with a portion thereofin vertical alignment with one of said passages between said rear walls,vertically-adjustable duct means providing, horizontal passagescommunicating with said wall opening at their outer nds and with saidinlet and outlet passages at their inner ends, said duct means includingupper wall portions for said horizontal passages extending over saidinlet and outlet passages to close the upper ends thereof, whereby thevertical length of said inlet and outlet passages is adjusted inaccordance with the position of the horizontal passages, and meansforeflecting forced circulation of condenser cooling air inwardlythrough one of said horizontal passages and said inlet passage, in agenerally vertical direction in contact with said condense and outwardlythrough said outlet passage and another of said horizontal passages. 8.A room cooler adapted to be disposed in a room adjacent a window thereofand comprising an upper and a lower compartment and a vertical passagedisposed rearwardly of the upper compartment and in vertical alignmentwith the rear portion of th lower compartment, a window duct memberproviding a horizontal air passage and adapted to be connected to awininet structure having an air cooling compartment and an apparatuscompartment disposed below the air cooling compartment, an evaporator insaid air cooling compartment, said cabinet structure having a rear wallfor the air cooling compartment oflset forwardly from the rear wall ofthe apparatus compartment, 2. vertical passage disposed rearwardly ofthe cooling compartment and above the apparatus compartment andcommunicating with the apparatus compartment between said rear walls, averticallyadjustable window duct member providing a horizontal airpassage adapted to communicate at on end with said wall opening and atthe other end with the upper end of said vertical passage, saidvertically-adjustable duct member including an upper wall for thehorizontal air passage extending over said vertical air passage andforming a closure for the upper end thereof, whereby the vertical heightof said vertical air pasage is adjustable in accordance with thevertical position of said horizontal air passage, a condenser in saidapparatus compartment disposed with a portion thereof below and invertical alignment with said vertical passage, and means including a fanor blower in said apparatus compartment for eifecting flow of condensercooling air through said horizontal passage and said vertical passageand in contact with said condenser. I

10. A room cooler adapted to be disposed in a room adjacent a. windowthereof and comprising an upper cooling compartment, a lower apparatuscompartment disposed at least in part directly below said uppercompartment, a vertical air passage disposed rearwardly of the uppercompartment and invertical alignment and in dow opening at the rear end'of'said passage, the" front end of said passage communicating with saidvertical air passage, said window-duct member being verticallyadjustable and including an upper wall which extends across and forms aclosure for the upper end of said vertical air passage, an evaporatordisposed in said upper compartment, a condenser disposed below saidupper compartment and with a portion of thecondenser in verticalalignment with said vertical air passage, and means including a blowerdisposed in said lower compartment for efiecting flow of air verticallyin contact with said condenser and through said vertical air passage andhorizontally through said horizontal air passage.

9. A unit air cooler for a room having an opening in a wall thereof andcomprising a cabcommunication with the rear portion of the lowercompartment, a window duct member providing a horizontal air passage andadapted to be connected to a window opening at the rear end of saidpassage, the front end of said has sage communicating with said verticalair passage, said window duct member being vertically adjustable andincluding an upper wall which extends across and forms a closure for theupper end of said vertical air passage, an evaporator disposed in saidupper compartment, refrigerating apparatus including a condenser and amotor-compressor unit disposed below said upper compartment and with apart thereof in vertical alignment'with said vertical air passage, andmeans including a blower disposed in said lower compartment foreflecting flow of air vertically in contact with said part and throughsaid vertical air passage and horizontally through said horizontal airpassage.

FRANK P. TAUGHER.

